CREE REGIONAL AUTHORITY

                              PRESS RELEASE


           ATTACK ON MOHAWK IS ATTACK ON ALL ABORIGINAL PEOPLE


(Ottawa, August 27, 1990)  The Cree Nation of Quebec condemns the ill-
considered and irresponsible conduct of the Quebec Government in
terminating the peaceful negotiations with the Mohawk Nation in favour
of attempting to resolving a highly complex and delicate crisis with the
use of military force.

The provocative actions on the part of the Quebec Government speak
clearly about the lack of regard for basic human rights which Robert
Bourassa has toward aboriginal people.

The military has been used to taunt the Mohawks into precipitous actions
and is part of an orchestrated strategy by the Governments to manipulate
public opinion to accept a full-scale military intervention.  If the
military action proceeds aboriginal people in Canada will never forget
such an absolute abdication of moral responsibility and leadership.

Any armed attack on the Mohawk Nation will be considered to be an attack
on the Cree Nation and will be treated as such.

The Grand Chief of the Cree Nation calls for a continuation of peaceful
negotiations in good faith by all parties.  Progress was being made in
the negotiations and should not quickly be abandoned.  Indigenous people
of Canada have waited for hundreds of years for the recognition of
legitimate rights.  Non-aboriginal people in the Montreal area have been
inconvenienced for only 50 days.

Grand Chief Matthew Coon-Come stated:  "An armed attack on the Mohawk
Nation, ordered by the Quebec Government, to resolve an issue that has
been under peaceful negotiation is beyond human comprehension, it will
be a sad day if innocent lives are lost for the sake of inconvenience".



For Further Information contact:

Bill Namagoose
613-761-1855 OR
613-724-1097